Stacking apparatus



June 5, 1934.

c. D. KNQWLTON STACKING APPARATUS Filed NOV. 2, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 C.D. KNOWLTON June 5, 1934.

STACKING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 2, 1931 a sneBts-sneet 2 nlll June 5,1934. c. n. KNOWLTON STACKING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed NOV. 2,1931 Patented June 5, 1934 'STACKING APPARATUS Application November 2,1931, Serial No. 572,612

Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for stacking various articles, itbeing particularly concerned with the arranging in a nested series ofsuch walled articles as boxes.

ii In an application for Letters Patent of the United States forimprovements in Stacking apparatus, Serial No. 377,001, filed in my nameon July 9, 1929 and which issued on February 7, 1933 as Patent No.1,896,177, is disclosed an organization by which boxes or box-parts, ascovers, are brought from some such source as a setting-up machine andare forced successively over a table between guide-walls to form ahorizontal stack, with the alternate box-parts oppositely inclined, sosaid stack is symmetrically arranged and is compact longitudinally. Oneof the end-walls of each box-part is separated by a substantial extentfrom the corresponding wall of the part which lies within it, while itsopposite end is simi larly separated from the wall of the part withinwhich it lies. It is an object of this invention to form a stack whichis transversely compact, the end-walls being brought into closeproximity to each other, the stack occupying less space and being morestable. For this purpose, I combine, in a novel manner, with means forstacking articles and for causing advance of the stack, movable meanscontacting with the edges of the advancing articles for changing theirposition 3 transversely of the stack. When box-parts or other walledarticles are stacked with their ends intermeshed, the contact meansforces the articles laterally of the stack, with the adjacent walls inclose proximity, the intermediate spaces being largely closed. The stackis thus made to occupy a smaller space, is more firmly nested and istherefore more portable. I prefer to advance the stacked articles over atable between opposite walls and to provide means for reciprocating oneof the walls toward and from the companion wall. The movable wall isshown as inclined with respect to the opposite wall, the two convergingin the direction of advance of the stack, there being a wall-portionsubstantially parallel to the opposite wall. The separation between theguide-walls is such that the relative movement gradually forces thebox-ends toward each other as the stack advances along the convergingportions, the final compacting pressure being applied by the parallelportions.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 illustrates in perspective one ofthe several forms which my invention may assume, and Figs. 2 and 3reproduce Figs. 1 and 2, respectively, of the previously mentionedpatent with each reference-numeral increased in magnitude. Generally,the stacking organization may be as disclosed in the patent. A conveyor100 carries set-up box-parts B across one extremity of 130 a table 240.These box parts, shown as the coverboxes past it that said boxes areforced from the conveyor at different points in their travel. The chosentime-relation causes the boxes to first nest with each preceding box atone extremity and then at the opposite extremity, a stack being ti;produced in which the boxes are alternately oppositely inclined, andwith the adjacent end-walls separated, as shown in the drawings. Eachoperating movement of the plunger 380 advances the accumulated stack astep along the table 240, til guided by a top-bar 300 and at one end bya Wall 18 rising from the table. This wall 18 and the bar may beadjustable by slot-and-screw connections 20, to allow their correctco-operation with boxes of different sizes.

Opposite the wall 18, and forming with it a channel through which thestacked boxes are advanced by the plunger 380; is arranged a movablewall. This is shown as in the form'of a bar 22 carried upon the upperextremity of the arms 24 and 26 fast upon a. shaft 28 journaled in theframe.

' The bar 22 has at its inner side an inclined face 30, furnishing aguide for the advancing stack and extending from a point adjacent to theplunger 380 for a considerable distance along the stack, converging inthis direction toward the wall 18. The face 30 is continued by a face 32upon the bar, the latter face being substantially parallel to the wall18. The supporting arm 24 is more inclined with respect to the verticalthan is the arm 26, to give conveniently the desired angular relation ofthe face 30 to the stack. The bar 22 is continuously reciprocated towardand from the stack by oscillation imparted to the shaft 28 throughconnections to a shaft 34 of the stacking apparatus. These connectionsmay include an eccentric 36 upon the shaft 34, an eccentric-rod 38 and acrank arm 40 secured to the shaft 28. The arrangement is preferably suchthat the bar 22 moves in while the plunger 380 is retracted and thestack is at rest. When the bar is at the point of maximum withdrawalfrom the stack, the space between the entering end of the inclined faceor wall 30 and the opposite wall 18 is ample to admit withoutinterference the boxes as they are delivered, uncompacted, to the stack.The separation between the wall 32 and the wall 18, when the bar hascompleted its inward stroke, is sufficient to just admit the stack withthe boxes forced together laterally until their end-walls are in closeproximity to one another. As a result of these relations, the boxes,starting with their end-walls considerably separated, will, .duringtheir step-by-step advance, be gently and gradually forced togetherlaterally until the stack is in the best condition for handling, theinitially expanded dimension being reduced to practically a minimum, andthe ends of the boxes wedged together so accidental separation isguarded against.

Except for immaterial changes in figure-numbers andreference-characters, the following is copied from the patenthereinbefore referred to, beginning with line 83, page 1 and terminatingwith line 87, page 3.

An endless conveyor, furnished by a chain 100 having lateralcover-engaging projections 120, brings the covers up an inclined way140, these covers standing on their lower longitudinal sidewalls andbeing engaged at their rear side-walls. The openings between these wallsall lie at the same side of the chain. They travel along a sideretaining wall 160 and beneath an overhang 180. Sprocket-wheels 200support and guide the continuously driven chain, and are rotatable uponthe frame 210 of the apparatus. For this advancing arrangement, agravity-chute or conduit may be substituted. The inclined way terminatesin a horizontal delivering table 220, at one side of which is areceiving or assembling table 240 furnishing a stack-support. A wall260, situated opposite the wall 160 and extending above the table 220,holds the covers against outward displacement as they are advanced bythe chainprojections over the delivering table. A bar 280, above andparallel to the table 220, receives the covers beneath it, and with thetransverse bar 300 previously mentioned, upon which 280 is mounted,holds the forming stack with some resistance to longitudinaldisplacement, so that the nesting force is efiectively exerted. Anupturned end 320 of the bar 280 facilitates the entrance of the coversbeneath it, while both bars, by virtue of slot-and-screw connections 340at the ends of their supporting yoke 360, may be adjusted vertically,and thus the resistance to movement of the stack beneath them changed.

At the side of the conveyor 100 opposite the receiving table 240 is anarticle-transferring and stacking member, furnished by the plunger 380.The base 400 of this plunger is mounted to reciprocate toward and fromthe end of the stack of covers B in ways 420 transversely of the chain100, and has, rising from it, a supporting portion for a horizontalcross-bar 440, so situated as to act upon the covers as they comebeneath the bar 280. A spring 460, connecting the plunger and a bracketsecured to the frame, holds said plunger normally away from the stack,while operating connections advance the plunger into contact with acover 'upon the table 220, to nest it with the preceding covers receivedby the table 240. These connections are shown as including a link 480pivoted to the plunger and to abell-crank lever 500 fulcrumedhorizontally upon the top of the frame, this lever being, in turn,joined to a pushbar 520 extending in a direction generally par allel tothat of the advance of the covers under the influence of the conveyor.The push-bar may be acted upon by either of two operating mechanisms,the chief elements of which are, in the present instance, supplied bycams 540 and 560 fixed upon a constantly rotated shaft 580, which mayalso carry and receive power from one of the sprocket-wheels 200 for thechain 100. The peripheries of the cams engage rolls 600, 600 arranged toturn upon opposite sides of levers 620, 620 fulcrumed with their upperextremities lying in the horizontal plane of the bar 520. Springs 630,630, joining the lower ends of the levers to the frame, hold the rollsagainst the cams. The active surfaces of the two cams are similarlyformed, being gradually curved from a cylindrical portion to aprojection producing the maximum throw, from which the surfaces abruptlyfall off again to the cylindrical portions. These projections 640 lie atdifferent angles circumferentially of the shaft 580 for the two cams 540and 560, so that they will cause differently timed operating cycles.

The bar 520 is alternately positioned to receive the action of therespective cams by successive alinement with the levers 620, 620. Toeffect the shift automatically under the control of the covers, the barlies in a depression in a slide 660 supportedat one extremity in a slotin the upper end of a bracket 680. The opposite extremity of the slideis pivoted to a bell-crank lever 700, to which is articulated a link720. This link may be made adjustable in length by a turn-buckle 730, toinitially produce the correct alinement of the bar 520 with the levers620. The outer end of the link 720 is pivoted to thehead 740 of anactuating arm 760 mounted to swing upon the frame. The oscillation ofthe lever is limited by opposite pins 780. 780, between which plays aprojection 800 from the head. This projection 800 travels across anupwardly bowed portion 820 of a leaf-spring 840, so that the projectionis prevented from rebounding after its engagement with the stops.Pivoted at 860 upon the head 740 is a contact device, con-' sisting of abody 880 and a contact member proper 900 fixed across the inner side ofthe body and extending to opposite sides of the axis 860. Each of theupwardly extending edges of the member 900 has a gradually inclinedcontact-surface 920 below the axis 860, and abrupt outward inclines '940at the opposite side. To limit the angular movement of the contactdevice about the axis and thus determine the initial positions of thesurfaces 920, 920, a lateral projection 960 from the member 900 enters adepression in the periphery of the body 880, and is stopped byengagement with the ends of this depression. These extreme angularpositions of the contact member 900 are yieldably maintained by aspring-pressed latch 980 movable horizontally in the head 740, andhaving a rounded end entering either of two depressions 990, 990 in thebody 880.

Revolving constantly while the stacking apparatus is in use is anoperating member, appearing as a reciprocatory controlling pin 1000projecting horizontally from the inner side of a crank 1020,conveniently driven by direct connection to the shaft 580 and itssprocket-wheel 200. Normally, 145 in its revolution, the pin isyieldably held clear of the contact member 900, as it passes this, by aspring 1040. In this position, it extends through the sprocket-wheel toreceive the contact of a lever 1060 fulcrumed upon the frame, and nor-1,961,866 mally maintained, as by gravity, out of the path tions 120along the chain 100 and the fixed relation thereto of the pin 1000, thisestablishing a definite time-relation which is held against alterationthrough the engagement of the sprocketteeth by the chain, the lever, asit is thusmoved, will find the pin opposite its side. Said pin istherefore thrust out against the force of its spring.

until its outer extremity lies in the same vertical plane as thesurfaces 920 of the member 900. When the pin reaches the member, itcontacts with one or the other of these surfaces 920, the direction ofengagement being such that the pro- I jection 960 is held against theend of the depression in the body 880 with which it already contacts. Asa result of this contact, the pin 1000,

acting through the member 900, body 880 and latch 980, swings theactuating head' of the lever 760, and, through the'connecting elements,shifts the slide 660 and thereby the bar 520 of the connections to theplunger 380. This moves the bar from alinement with one of thecam-levers 620 opposite the other of said levers. The elements of theapparatus are so related that, when-the cover which produced the shiftjust described has reached the bar 440 of the plunger, the projection640 of the cam, with the lever of which the rod 520 has been alined,will come into engagement with its lever. This may be assumed to be thecam 540, the angular position of which is in advance of that of thecompanion cam. The cam 540 will consequently thrust its lever againstthe rod, and, through the other connections, will move the plunger in toact upon the left end of the cover, this being as viewed in Fig. 2 ofthe drawings. As a result of this, the thus-transferred cover will benested with that preceding it, with the right end projecting beyond thelatter and being inclined, in its final position, rearwardly across thestack from left to right (Fig. 2). After this transferring action hasbeen accomplished, at which time the pin 1000, in its upward travel, haspassed the axis 860, it will engage the more abruptly inclinedcontact-surface 940 at the opposite side of the axis. The actuating head740 is now held against movement by the left-hand stop '780,'and theforce of the pin is exerted to turn the contact member about the axis.This carries the member 900 across the path of the pin and presents theopposite surface 920 for succeeding engagement thereby. This new angularrelation of the member 900 is determined by the engagement of its pin960 with the opposite end of the depression in which it moves, and isheld against accidental displacement by the latch 980, entering theother depression 990 from that which it has just left. The stackingapparatus remains inactive until another cover is brought by theconveyor against the lever 1060, this, by its action upon the pin 1000,initiating another cycle. Because, however, of the new position of thecontact member 900,.the pin acts upon its opposite surface 920, and thuscauses the movement of the actuating lever 760, and therefore of theslide 660, to be reversed, presenting the pushbar 520 to the lever ofthe cam 560 (Fig. 3) The projection 640 of this cam acts later in thecycle, or at a time when the right-hand end of a cover has reached themember 440. The effect is to stagger this last cover with that precedingit, it being oppositely inclined thereto. It will therefore be seenthat, for alternate operations of the plunger, the time-interval fromthe beginning of the cycle is changed, being first shorter and thenlonger, this continuing throughout its action upon the entirestack, andproducing a symmetrical nesting of the opposite extremities of thecovers. The table 240 may be of such dimensions asto receive as long astack as desired, the stability of the horizontally nested boxes notbeing affected. Any portion of the accumulating stack maybe removed fromthe ta- ,ble at the convenience of the attendant.

Having described my invention, what I claim as newand desire to secureby Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a, stacking apparatus, a table, means for advancing articles in astack over the table, opposide walls between which the stack isadvanced, said walls converging in the direction of advance, and meansfor reciprocating one of the walls in contact with the stack toward andfrom the opposite wall.

2. In a stacking apparatus, a table, means for advancing articles in astack over the table,

opposite walls between which the stack is advanced, and means forreciprocating one of the walls in contact with the stack toward and fromthe opposite wall, the reciprocatory wall being inclined toward theopposite wall in the direction of advance.

3. In a stacking apparatus, a table, means for advancing articles in astack over the table, a normally fixed guide-wall for the stack at oneside of the table, a shaft journaled at the opposite side of the table,means for oscillating the shaft, arms secured to the shaft at differentangles, and a bar secured upon the arms for contact with the articles atthe side opposite'the fixed wall.

4. In a stacking apparatus, a table, means for advancing articles in astack over the table, a normally fixed guide-wall for the stack at oneside of the table, a shaft journaled at the opposite side of the table,means for oscillating the shaft, arms secured to the shaft at diiferentangles, and a bar secured upon the arms for contact with the articles atthe side opposite the fixed wall, the surface of the bar which contactswith the articles having portions forming an angle with each other.

5. In an apparatus for stacking walled articles, means for assemblingsuch articles in a stack with the end of one article between the wallsof the next article and with succeeding articles oppositely inclined andfor advancing such stack, and means acting upon the ends of articlesinclined outside the succeeding articles and while said articles areunder the influence of the stacking means for forcing the articleslaterally of the stack and the adjacent end-walls into closer proximity.

6. In an apparatus for stacking walled articles, means for assemblingsuch articles in a stack with the end of one article between the wallsof the next article and with succeeding articles oppositely inclined, awall situated adjacent to the intermeshed ends at one side of the stack,and a wall arranged to reciprocate in contact with the ends at theopposite side of the stack, the two lwalls furnishing a channel throughwhich said stack is advanced by the stacking means.

7. In an apparatus for stacking walled articles, means for assemblingsuch articles in a stack with the end of one article between the wallsof the next article and with succeeding articles oppositely inclined, awall normally fixed adjacent to the intermeshed ends at one side of thestack, and a wall arranged to reciprocate in contact with the ends atthe opposite side of the stack, said reciprocatory wall acting upon thearticles advanced by the stacking means and having the forward end ofits contact-face substantially parallel to the opposite wall and therearward portion of said face converging toward the opposite wall.

8. In a box-nesting apparatus, means for delivering boxes, means actingupon the delivered boxes to nest them in a series one within another,and means for closing laterally of the series spaces between theend-wall of each box and the adja- 1,9e1,see

cent wall of the box nested within it while all are under the influenceof the nesting means.

9. In a box-nesting apparatus, a box-conveyor, a table, a reciprocatorymember removing boxes from the conveyor and advancing them nested overthe table, guide-walls situated at opposite sides of the table andbetween which the nested boxes are advanced, and means for moving thewalls relatively in contact with the boxes.

10. In a box-nesting apparatus, a box-conveyor, a table, a reciprocatorymember removing boxes from the conveyor and advancing them nested overthe table, guide-walls situated at opposite sides of the table andbetween which the nested boxes are advanced by the member, said

